The Putnam County Health Department is providing the following links for information regarding the Coronavirus.
HEALTH ADVISORY #159 Vector-borne Disease Season
With the spring season comes an increase in mosquito and tick activity in West Virginia. Vector-borne diseases occur annually beginning in early spring and peaking in August and September when people and arthropod vectors are most active outdoors. Health providers can educate patients on preventive measures, including use of recommended insect repellents with DEET and permethrin, to prevent bites and control diseases spread by mosquitoes and ticks.
HEALTH ADVISORY #158 Recommendations for Routine HIV Testing and Available Resources for Healthcare Providers
The Bureau for Public Health, in collaboration with local and federal partners, is responding to an increase in newly diagnosed cases of HIV among persons who inject drugs (PWID) in West Virginia. Public health partnerships, expanded HIV testing, early diagnosis and linkage to care, harm reduction services, and initiation of or referral to substance use disorder recovery as applicable are all critical to preventing and addressing HIV in the community. Thanks to new and better treatments, people with HIV who remain in care are now living longer – and with a better quality of life – than ever before.
HEALTH ADVISORY #157 Measles
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified an increased number of measles cases and outbreaks in the United States since January 1, 2019. The last case of measles reported in West Virginia was in 2009 following international travel. Clinicians are encouraged to continue vigilance for cases of measles among all age groups and to report suspected cases of measles immediately to their local health department (LHD) as per the West Virginia Reportable Disease Rule (64 CSR 7). Additionally, clinicians should take this opportunity to ensure patients are up-to-date on measles vaccination (MMR). MMR information can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd/measles/index.html.
HEALTH ALERT #156 Acute Flaccid Myelitis
West Virginia has confirmed a case of Acute Flaccid Myelitis (AFM). AFM is a rare but serious condition that affects the nervous system, causing muscles and reflexes in the body to become weak. The last confirmed case of AFM in West Virginia was in 2016. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognized AFM in 2014 as a syndrome following increased reports of acute limb weakness and began surveillance for this condition. Clinicians are encouraged to continue vigilance for cases of AFM among all age groups and to immediately report suspected cases of AFM to their local health department (LHD) as per the West Virginia Reportable Disease Rule (64 CSR 7).
HEALTH ADVISORY #155 Increase in New HIV infections Among Persons Who Inject Drugs
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health is investigating an increase in newly diagnosed human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases in the state among persons who inject drugs (PWID). Historically, male-to-male sexual contact has been the predominant reported risk factor for becoming infected with HIV. Since 2018, we have seen an increase in the number of newly diagnosed cases of HIV with injection drug use (IDU) reported as a risk factor statewide.
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Health departments offer common sense cold weather tips
Cold, snowy weather may soon settle in Kanawha and Putnam Counties. “With cold weather comes the possibility of health problems,” said officials for the Kanawha and Putnam health departments. “We enjoy West Virginia because of the change in seasons, but we need to protect our health.”
Update—Outbreak of Life-threatening Coagulopathy Associated with Synthetic Cannabinoids Use
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is providing information on: 1) the current status of a multistate outbreak of coagulopathy from exposure to synthetic cannabinoid products containing a vitamin K-epoxide cycle antagonist, brodifacoum; 2) the emergence of 2 new clinical scenarios; and 3) recommendations to help clinicians make decisions related to these 2 new clinical scenarios.
This is an update to the Health Alert Network (HAN) advisory released on May 25, 2018 titled Outbreak of Life-threatening Coagulopathy Associated with Synthetic Cannabinoids Use (https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/han00410.asp).
HEALTH ADVISORY #153 Update on Supply of Hepatitis A Vaccine, Prioritization for State- Supplied Vaccine, and Clinical Considerations
The supply of adult hepatitis A vaccine continues to be constrained nationally due to the hepatitis A outbreak among adults in several states resulting in substantially increased demand for adult hepatitis A vaccine. There are, however, adequate supplies of the pediatric formulation of hepatitis A vaccine, so routine vaccination of all children is strongly encouraged to prevent transmission of hepatitis A virus (HAV) to children.
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PCBH offers holiday tips
With the holidays upon us, the Putnam County Board of Health offers the following tips on staying healthy: Get a flu shot. Everybody older than six months of age should get a flu shot. Flu shots are available at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department at 108 Lee St., in Charleston and the Putnam County Health Department at 11878 […]
Don’t include flu in your holiday plans
“Influenza is an upper respiratory illness with severe body aches and high fevers. It can be fatal. “Nobody wants a guest like that at the holidays,” according to officials at the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and the Putnam County Health Department.. “It’s still not too late to get a flu vaccination.”
HEALTH ADVISORY #152 Cluster of Legionnaire’s Disease in Northern Panhandle
Since late September 2018, six (6) cases of confirmed Legionella pneumonia (also known as Legionnaire’s Disease) have been reported among persons that work at a facility in the Northern Panhandle. These cases are tightly clustered in time and there may be potentially associated cases that have not yet been identified. To date, the common occupational exposure remains the only epidemiologic link between cases. Federal, state and local public health officials are closely working to identify potential sources of exposure and to mitigate risk of additional cases.
Flu vaccinations available
Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and Putnam County Health Department give approximately 9,500 vaccinations during the flu season. The health departments are offering flu vaccinations, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
While walk-in patients are accommodated, appointments are suggested. Call 304-757-2541 to schedule an appointment for Putnam County.
HEALTH ADVISORY #151 Influenza Season 2018-2019
September 30, 2018 officially began the 2018-2019 influenza season. Since the 2017-2018 influenza season was one of the most severe seen in several years, it is important to be prepared for the upcoming season. The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health would like to remind stakeholders of the mandatory reporting requirements for the 2018-2019 season.
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HEALTH ADVISORY #150 Vigilance for Cases of Acute Flaccid Myelitis
Since acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) was first recognized in the United States in 2014, only two confirmed cases have been reported in West Virginia (both in 2016). Though no cases have been reported since then, healthcare providers are encouraged to continue vigilance for cases of AFM among all age groups and report suspected cases of AFM to their local health department (LHD) as per the WV Reportable Disease Rule (64 CSR 7).
AFM is characterized by a sudden onset of weakness in one or more limbs following a respiratory or febrile illness. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reveals distinct abnormalities of the spinal cord gray matter.
Advice to Clinicians about Leptospirosis in U.S. Travelers Returning from Northern Israel
The Israeli Ministry of Health is reporting an outbreak of leptospirosis in persons with exposure to natural water sources in the Golan Heights region of northern Israel after July 1, 2018. As of September 6, 2018, three persons with leptospirosis who traveled to Israel have been identified in the United States, with additional suspected cases reported and under investigation. Early symptoms of leptospirosis include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea, cough, conjunctival suffusion (conjunctival redness without exudates), jaundice, and sometimes a rash. Clinicians should consider leptospirosis as a diagnosis in any patient who develops an acute febrile illness within 4 weeks of travel to one of the areas in northern Israel listed below since July 1, 2018.
Flood water exposure not sufficient cause for tetanus shot. All need Tdap.
With talk of flooding in the media, the issue of tetanus comes to the forefront. Exposure to flood water is not sufficient cause for a person to obtain a tetanus vaccination.
Tetanus, commonly known as lockjaw, is a nerve disease caused when tetanus bacteria contaminates a wound. The tetanus bacteria is commonly found in soil. It enters the body through any opening, from a slight scratch to a severe wound. It can cause convulsions, painful muscle spasms and even death.
PCHD offering flu vaccinations
The Putnam County Health Department is currently offering influenza vaccinations. Vaccinations are available at the health department, Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
HEALTH ADVISORY #149 Information for Healthcare Providers and Emergency Departments on the Hepatitis A Outbreak
The West Virginia Bureau for Public Health (BPH) continues to investigate cases of hepatitis A as part of the multi-state outbreak that is occurring nationally. Persons who use injection and non-injection drugs, persons with unstable housing or are homeless, persons with recent history of incarceration, and men who have sex with men (MSM) are at considerable risk for infection. There is continued transmission of hepatitis A in West Virginia due to increasing case counts and the long incubation period of the disease.
PCHD, partners continue community assessment drive
The Putnam County Health Department is continuing to work with community partners to complete a comprehensive Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan. Results will be published later this year.
Paper surveys are being offered at numerous locations throughout the county. A web-based survey is available online at Putnam County 2018 Community Health Assessment Survey